Newtown High School's girls' soccer team, the No. 2 seed, edged visiting and No. 3 Pomperaug of Southbury 2-1 in the South-West Conference Tournament semifinals at Blue & Gold Stadium on October 23.

With the win, the Nighthawks will look to avenge their lone SWC defeat, a 1-0 season-opening setback to No. 1 Notre Dame Prep of Fairfield, when the teams meet again in the Sunday, October 26, championship game. The pinnacle match will be held at Western Connecticut State University's Westside Athletic Complex, 200 University Boulevard beginning at 6:30 pm.

With the semifinal game deadlocked and appearing potentially headed to overtime and then maybe penalty kicks, Newtown's Addie O'Leary scored on an in-game PK to break the tie and send the Nighthawks one step closer to the top.

A handball in the 18 yard box set up the decisive tally with 36:25 to play in the second half.

The teams traded first-half goals off corner kicks. Pomperaug scored early in regulation for a 1-0 lead. O'Leary took a right side corner that was booted in by Delia Stango to knot the score with 16-plus minutes left before the break.

Nighthawk goaltender Elise Ansman made some key saves. Defenders, including Sara Ruddy with a breakup and Taylor LeRow retreating to stymie the Panthers, helped keep maintain the lead late in regulation.

"It's an amazing accomplishment," NHS Coach Adam Bourret said. "We knew we had the talent, we knew we had the ability — we stayed true to our identity."

"It feels really good. Pomperaug's a very good team — I'm glad we were able to squeeze out a win," Captain Ana Morris added.

The postgame celebration included the team singing Happy Birthday to Summer Chaljub.